TheSamba.com :: View topic - Type 3 Swing axle to IRS conversion. (Plus Kafer bars)

Mon May 13, 2013 11:33 am

the solenoid acts as a relay

Mon May 13, 2013 7:10 pm

Slow 1200 wrote: GM's probably have way shorter wires from battery to switch to starter solenoid compared to a VW :D

still for the little effort to fit a proper relay, what the point of not doing it.

long or short wires current flows the same and since the vw has longer wires, therefore a larger voltage drop over the wires compared the actual starter solenoid there is even more of a need for a relay :wink:

you know when the battery is low and the starter clicks like mad? yep a relay helps a lot with that.

Sat Jun 15, 2013 7:46 pm

Thought I would follow up with a little more progress on this rear subframe.

When a gearbox is installed I was advised from a few people that the inner cv joints might need some extra clearance to the frame forks. When I checked mine they didn't actually touch but there was virtually no clearance so I chose the heat and strategically dent method.

Note, if I didn't have the Kafer bar struts to the rear gearbox mount I might be inclined to reinforce the underside of the dimpled area extending rearward and forward of this area. This may or may not be necessary depending on your power plant and how hard you drive but I always err on the side of caution.

I can finish the sand blasting and then off to powder coat satin black with a whole bunch of engine tins and suspension components. I have no time for painting in the next two weeks so powder coat it is. Helps that we have a powder coating shop two doors down from work.

Sat Jun 15, 2013 9:32 pm

Great job. I went the other way when I did mine and cut/welded that section. When I do it again (next car) I'll be using your method.

Sat Jun 15, 2013 11:31 pm

I like how the heat and beat turned out, very professional looking.

Sun Jun 16, 2013 5:32 am

Thanks Brent and supaninja.
When I thought about this before I started the whole IRS project I feared the heat might screw up the alignment when it cooled and contracted but after I cut in my pivot boxes I realized the top half of the fork is a lot thinner than the bottom half which is very solid sheet metal.
It makes sense though. the top is in tension so can be thinner. The bottom pretty much does all the supporting work so it has to be thicker.
Also I supported the forks at the lip when I was doing the hammer blows on the round cylinder. Didn't want to dent underneath and introduce a folding stress point.

Tue Jan 21, 2014 5:40 pm

This is a great write up and it will definitely come in handy when the time comes to make a swing axle carrier fit my IRS car.

BOOKMARKED!!!!

:D

Tue Jan 21, 2014 7:12 pm

Wow, quality work, I am using the Berrien kit for my irs sqb, but I love the work on the kafer bar. Keep up the great work

Tue Jan 21, 2014 8:31 pm

Thanks guys. Never did finish this thread. I guess I carried on with my build thread and forgot about this.

A pic after sandblasting and then one after powdercoat but without the rear struts bolted in position. I'll refresh the thread once I pull my finger out and start assembling the chassis.

Tue Jan 21, 2014 9:30 pm

Wow! good work.

I bet you will have nice firm power application with that now.

Tue Dec 05, 2017 10:08 am

I know this is an older thread, but, anyway to get the pictures back up ?

Tue Dec 05, 2017 11:37 am

Cschenkel wrote: I know this is an older thread, but, anyway to get the pictures back up ?

picture issue is photobucket screwing folks

that said i would like to see some my self

Tue Dec 05, 2017 12:06 pm

Here is the conversion i did on my notch. Welded chromoly torque bar, pockets for type-2 CVs, one inch narrowed trailing arms, SAW axles & spring plates.

Fri Jan 19, 2018 11:33 am

Thanks Critter1, Can i ask why you didnt do forward facing kafer bars?

Looks very cool though and a tidy job!

Mon Apr 09, 2018 10:03 am

Excuse my Naivety but what are the differences between a swing axle pan and irs? I have damage to the front frame horns on my swing axle 68 type 3 and have access to a good condition 69 irs pan complete. Is it possible to swap the whole lot without any welding? I see people converting the sub frames and mentioning that the engine hangers are different, are all the differences confined to the pans or are the bodies different too? Just curious as to whether I should swap the whole lot or chop the front frame horns off and just repair my original pan.

Mon Apr 09, 2018 4:30 pm

If i'm not mistaken, I believe the front half of the pan is the same. The differences come with the rear sub frame and how the tranny/engine mounts to the subframe and body.

The swing axle subframe have the two forks that come out where you mount the rear transmission mount. There is also a mount for the engine near the fan intake.

The IRS subframe does not have the two forks. You mount the rear engine hanger to the body. This supports the rear half of the tranny/engine combo. I'm not sure if the front tranny mount is different between the two.

Tue Apr 10, 2018 9:52 am

supersuk wrote: If i'm not mistaken, I believe the front half of the pan is the same. The differences come with the rear sub frame and how the tranny/engine mounts to the subframe and body.

The swing axle subframe have the two forks that come out where you mount the rear transmission mount. There is also a mount for the engine near the fan intake.

The IRS subframe does not have the two forks. You mount the rear engine hanger to the body. This supports the rear half of the tranny/engine combo. I'm not sure if the front tranny mount is different between the two.

Yes, the front of the pan is the same. Later pans got 2 reinforcing beams (crash worthiness), but the pans are still the same.
For the rear, everything mentioned above applies.

Wed Apr 11, 2018 2:30 am

Where is this engine mount to the body for the later ones? Reason for my asking is my car has been rear ended and we will be taking the rear cut from the 69 centre directly below the tailgate.

Wed Apr 11, 2018 11:12 am

Right side mount for the hanger bar. Forward from the hatch enough for the rear clip that you need? Good Luck! :wink:

Wed Apr 11, 2018 12:39 pm

Cschenkel wrote: Thanks Critter1, Can i ask why you didnt do forward facing kafer bars?

Looks very cool though and a tidy job!
Thank you.. Forward facing bars are redundant IMO... The shock towers serve as your forward facing bars. I know Mendeola does it, but that doesn't make it a "must do". Yes, it doesn't hurt, but it doesn't add much either.